Start with the juniors -- quarterback Kyle Allen and wide receiver Mark Andrews -- who could be the state's most electric passing combination outside of Phoenix Brophy Prep's Tyler Bruggman and Devon Allen.

Last season, as sophomores, Allen threw for 2,547 yards and 21 touchdowns, with 10 of those going to the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Andrews, who had 58 catches for 1,058 yards. Both already have several major college scholarship offers.

Then there is pesky middle linebacker Joe Duran, a tackling machine. Plus, there are a couple of fast running backs who were injured last season.

But what has Tabor optimistic is the offensive line with four returning starters, bigger, stronger and eager to make amends for last season when Allen was sacked 27 times during a tough-luck campaign that was bolstered by a late-season victory over previously unbeaten Phoenix Pinnacle.

"The running theme is to show people we belong with the better teams in the Valley and that we are for real," said Tabor, who is looking to get the Wolves back to the state playoffs for the first time since the 2009 semifinal team, which was the last Arizona team to beat Chaparral, in that '09 regular season. "We have to prove that we cannot only compete but beat better teams in the state.

"We had a great off-season and summer passing league session, but we have to translate that to the fall. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best."

That means beating Chaparral and Notre Dame Prep on back-to-back September Fridays.